The story of the Raroh Brigade and its commander Hasan, a Hero of Ukraine, charting the unit’s rise, drone warfare innovations, combat achievements, and role in shaping Ukraine’s unmanned forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to the commander of the 427th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Raroh,” Oleh (Hasan) Huit, presenting him with the “Golden Star” order.
“Espreso.Zahid” tells more about the “Raroh” Brigade, which consistently ranks among the most effective units of the Armed Forces and specializes in the use of FPV drones, aerial reconnaissance, patrols, and fire adjustment via unmanned systems, as well as about the unit’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleh (Hasan) Huit, from its formation to the present.
What Is Known About Oleh (Hasan) Huit and the Beginning of His Service
Oleh Huit is originally from Lviv region. From 2014 to 2016, he commanded a mortar platoon in eastern Ukraine.
In March 2022, the man, who had been living in the Czech Republic for five years, returned to his homeland to join the Armed Forces. He chose the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, where his father had also served. In the King’s Brigade, Huit again led a mortar platoon and carried out combat missions in the city of Popasna in Luhansk region.
Oleh Huit’s platoon initially purchased a few Mavic 2 drones to adjust mortar fire. This improved accuracy and reduced ammunition consumption, which boosted the soldiers’ motivation. In addition, the drones allowed the troops to see the results of their work: for the first time, artillerymen could witness the effects of their strikes on video from the “Mavics.”
“The first Russians we killed and wounded were made possible thanks to aerial reconnaissance,” Huit said in an interview with NV.
After switching to the more advanced Mavic 3, the drones were equipped with systems for dropping munitions, and additional operator crews were formed. They were actively used in the areas of Zolote and Hirske in Luhansk region. Meanwhile, in Kherson region, soldiers of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade destroyed their first two Russian BMPs using aerial drops.
At the same time, in the summer of 2022, few in the Armed Forces still believed in the potential of unmanned systems. Operators had to improvise, relying on makeshift materials and their own ingenuity.
“Thanks to tape, zip ties, nails, and drones, we were destroying the enemy,” Hasan recalled.
Despite the brigade consistently ranking among the most effective units of the Armed Forces, Hasan considered the greatest achievement of his unit not the destruction of enemy equipment or personnel, but the evacuations of our defenders.
“I won’t talk about destruction, because, honestly, it has become so routine… When you destroy 20 in a day, the next day you want 30. Earlier, when we destroyed a tank, we were happy: the tank is burning, everyone is satisfied. That happened maybe ‘once in five years’ — someone destroyed something, and it was an event. Now it has become so ordinary that a different question arises: why isn’t it burning yet? Why is it still not burning?
Probably the greatest achievement is that we carry out the evacuation of the wounded and the dead,” the lieutenant colonel said in an interview.
In May 2025, the commander of what was then the “Raroh” regiment called the hardest target destroyed by the unit in an interview on the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Ground Forces the TOC-1A “Solntsepyok” in the Chasiv Yar area.
“It was very difficult to destroy because it was always accompanied—by the senior officer of the battery in a BTR-80 with all the electronic warfare systems in the world… We found a solution, flew out with two crews — one hit the BTR, and the other hit the ‘Solntsepyok,’” Oleh Huit said.
The full interview can be viewed here.
The History of “Raroh”
“Raroh” was formed in 2023 as a company within the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
After going through a period of organizational growth, it expanded to a regiment at the beginning of 2025. Thus, the 427th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment “Raroh” officially became part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).
On January 1, 2026, the 427th Separate Regiment “Raroh” of the USF of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gained brigade status.
The rapid pace of development was explained by the unit’s high efficiency. The USF noted that alongside combat operations, the unit develops its own infrastructure: a pilot training school, workshops, and laboratories. This allows the brigade to train specialists, improve technological solutions, and systematically meet the unit’s needs.
“By avoiding publicity among civilians, ‘Raroh’ has earned respect within the military community. The brigade’s core values are the safety of its personnel and the successful completion of combat missions,” the USF emphasized at the time.
“Further restructuring into a brigade became a logical continuation of development and capability building,” said the unit’s commander, Oleh (Hasan) Huit.
“Raroh” gained significant combat experience on key frontlines — Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Ocheretyne, and Pokrovsk. In particular, command reports highlighted the effectiveness of its actions during the defense of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, New York, and Chasiv Yar.
During the “Drone Army — 2025” event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recognized the most effective units, which scored the highest “ePoints” in 2025. Among all units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 427th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Raroh” made it into the top 10.
The Symbolism of “Raroh”
According to “ArmyInform,” the regiment’s name “Raroh” was borrowed from ancient Slavic mythology, primarily West Slavic. The Raroh is a mythical fiery falcon that, according to popular belief, emerges from a fire whirl and is capable of bringing storms and flames.
The name embodies the power and speed of the unit’s strike drones, the “fiery” nature of their combat operations, and their protective role on the battlefield. The image of the Raroh for the Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment serves as a symbolic guardian and protector of the soldiers, safeguarding its own while striking down the enemy.
The regiment’s symbolism is based on a stylized depiction of a dark gray Raroh falcon with outstretched wings pointing upwards. It is placed on a shield of classic heraldic shape in black, with a dark gray border.
The falcon figure is rendered in a graphic style with dynamic lines that emphasize the strength, speed, and fiery essence of the mythical Raroh.
The emblem also has a distinctly technological character: the contours and internal elements are designed in a futuristic style with sharp, aggressive forms that highlight the unit’s determination, offensive spirit, and combat readiness.
Combat Operations of “Raroh”
As previously noted, the “Raroh” Brigade, which is part of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, specializes in the use of FPV drones, aerial reconnaissance, patrol missions, and fire adjustment using unmanned systems. As a result, the unit’s soldiers destroy various types of enemy equipment.
In Donetsk region, “Raroh” operators have struck five tanks and one multiple launch rocket system belonging to Russian occupation forces.
The brigade’s defenders carried out sniper-style munition drops on enemy positions.
“Raroh” soldiers showcased a collection of destroyed enemy vehicles, among which several UAZ-452s equipped with anti-drone shields stood out.
Near Chasiv Yar, “Raroh” drones struck a Russian BTR-MD “Rakushka” armored personnel carrier and a BTS-4V armored tractor.
“Drone Force/Line of Drones”
In February 2025, the commanders of the “Phoenix,” K-2, “Achilles,” “Raroh,” and “Madjar’s Birds” units joined forces in a joint project called “Drone Force” and invited others to join their units. This was stated in a joint announcement.
The newly established separate regiments of the Unmanned Systems Forces announced an unprecedented recruitment drive, open to civilians, service members transferring from other units, and servicemen returning from unauthorized absence.
“Trust the commanders who built their teams from scratch, evolving from a single crew into separate military units, who know their craft, care about the safety and provision of their personnel, and guarantee exclusively professional and competent use, as well as special conditions and timelines for basic military training,” the commanders said in their address.
A week after the presentation to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “Drone Force” was rebranded as the “Line of Drones.”
“The Line of Drones is about scaling the most effective solutions in the army — namely, creating a 10–15 km kill zone that makes enemy advances impossible without losses, while providing infantry with aerial support and cover,” then–Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized.
It was noted that the “Line of Drones” integrates infantry and UAVs into a single strike system and scales the most effective combat experience within the Defense Forces to strengthen troops on the front line, maintain control over the enemy, and protect Ukrainian infantry.
